Hey there, fellow foodies! I’m Sarah Lee, a dietitian always on the lookout for delicious and healthy recipes. Today, I will share a nutritious gem from my kitchen that I learned from my Chinese friend—the aromatic Chinese Spice Broth. This recipe is perfect for elevating your salad dressings, soups, and marinades, bringing a touch of Chinese culinary magic into your home.
Behind The Chinese Spice Broth Recipe
I first encountered this incredible broth during a family trip to China. We were exploring the bustling streets of Chengdu, famous for its spicy and aromatic cuisine. One evening, we stumbled upon a cozy little restaurant where the owner welcomed us with a fragrant bowl of broth. It was love at first sip! The blend of cumin, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise was unlike anything I’d tasted before.
I can’t forget how it tasted so I consulted my Chinese friend, hoping that she knows what I’m talking about. Oh, am I glad that she just doesn’t know what I’m talking about, she also knows a recipe for it! What’s more great is that she’s willing to share it with me!
Without wasting any time, I started creating my own Chinese spice broth. With a few experiments here and there, I developed a broth that suited my taste. It was so delicious that I started using it for my salads.
If you are going to create the authentic Chinese cuisine just use the authentic ingredients.
Yum of china
Chef’s Notes:
- Tips for Success: Gently simmer the broth to extract maximum flavor without bitterness.
- Serving Suggestions: Use this broth as a base for salad dressings, soups, or marinades.
- Additional Ingredients: Enhance with coriander seeds or dried chilies for added heat and complexity.
Chinese Spice Broth
Elevate your culinary creations with this Chinese Spice Broth! Perfect for adding depth to your salad dressings, soups, and marinades, this Chinese-inspired broth is a game-changer. With a blend of cumin, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise, this broth is simmered to perfection, capturing the essence of traditional Chinese flavors. Store it in your fridge and have a versatile flavor booster ready for any dish!
4
servings5
minutes30
minutes10
kcal20
minutes55
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 medium star anise pod
1 whole clove
1/2 piece tsaoko fruit (black cardamom)
4 slices sand ginger (or galangal)
1 thumb-sized piece cinnamon stick
1 3/4 cups water
- Alternative Ingredients:
Cumin Seeds: Ground cumin ½ teaspoon
Sichuan Peppercorns: Black peppercorns 1 teaspoon
Fennel Seeds: Anise seeds 1 teaspoon
Star Anise: Anise extract ¼ teaspoon
Whole Clove: Ground clove ¼ teaspoon
Tsaoko Fruit: Black cardamom pod ½ piece
Bay Leaf: Dried basil leaves 2 leaves
Sand Ginger: Fresh ginger slices 4 pieces
Cinnamon Stick: Ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon
Directions
- Preparing Spices – Measure out all the spices and place them on a cutting board for easy access.
- Boiling Water – Pour 1¾ cups of water into a stainless steel pot and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Adding Spices – Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the cumin seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, fennel seeds, star anise pod, whole clove, tsaoko fruit, bay leaves, sand ginger slices, and cinnamon stick.
- Simmering Broth – Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer gently for about 30 minutes. This slow simmer allows the spices to release their full flavors.
- Cooling Down – Remove the pot from heat and let the broth cool to room temperature for about 20 minutes.
- Straining Broth – Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the broth into a clean container, removing all the solid spices.
- Storing Broth – Transfer the strained broth to a glass jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Equipment
- chef’s knife
- cutting board
- stainless steel cookware set
- fine mesh strainer
- measuring cups and spoons
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 10kcal
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 2mg
- Potassium: 10mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Vitamin A: 0IU
- Vitamin C: 0mg
- Calcium: 1mg
- Iron: 1mg
Chinese Spice Broth: A Feast You Can Taste
I hope you enjoy making and using this Chinese Spice Broth as much as I do. It’s a small effort for a big payoff in flavor and versatility. Remember, cooking is all about experimenting and finding joy in the process. So, gather your spices, simmer your broth, and let your kitchen be filled with the wonderful scents of Chinese spices. Happy cooking!
Feel free to share your experiences or any variations you tried. I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Until next time, keep cooking with love and spices!
